Gopal Rai claims smog towers in Delhi inoperable due to payment dispute

Delhi Minister Gopal Rai/ X

Amidst the worsening air quality in Delhi, it has been revealed that the smog tower inaugurated in Connaught Place in 2021 at a cost of Rs 20 crores is non-operational due to a payment issue, stated an agency report. According to the report, when Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai was asked about the same, he said that one of the two smog towers in the national capital has been inoperable as the Delhi Pollution Control Committee chief refuses to open it over a payment issue.

When asked about the smog towers, Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, told ANI, "There are two smog towers in Delhi. One is in Anand Vihar, which is run by the central government, while the other is in Connaught Place, which is operated by the Delhi government. Delhi Pollution Control Committee chairman Ashwani Kumar joined in December. His payment has been stopped by IIT Bombay, and for the past 8 months, the smog tower has been closed. We are tired of saying it again and again, but he's not ready to open it. Though it is the decision of the cabinet and it's the order of the Supreme Court and still, they have closed it."

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The capital city and its surrounding areas have been shrouded in a thick haze, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing the 400 mark in multiple locations. The Mundka area reported the highest AQI of 498. Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stated that AQI levels in the Lodhi Road area were 438, 491 in Jahangirpuri, 486 in RK Puram, and 473 at IGI Airport (T3).

Rai was further quoted as saying that collaborative efforts from neighbouring states will help improve the situation. He said, "These challenges exist, but if other states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were as proactive as Delhi, the situation could see improvement."

Earlier in the day, he had also said that the government alone cannot tackle the issue of 'severe' air quality index; he had also urged the people to use public transport instead of travelling in private vehicles to reduce pollution caused by vehicles.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari held both---the Union BJP government and the Delhi AAP government--responsible for the pollution problem and stated that the people of Delhi were compelled to breathe polluted air. He said that there is a need for accountability since AAP is in power in Punjab as well.